Originally, two days in February were set aside to recognize the birthdays of Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Their birthdays were celebrated on February 22 and 12, respectively. Eventually, the holidays were consolidated and this holiday was marked as an opportunity to pay tribute to the contributions and accomplishments of our commanders-in-chief, both past and present.
As our civilians, Soldiers and their Families take advantage of the long weekend to travel and enjoy local recreational activities we must be cognizant of the hazards that can often ruin our much deserved time off. As always, leader and individual commitment are keys to success; leaders must stress the consequences of poor judgment when operating privately owned vehicles, motorcycles, and all-terrain vehicles, while emphasizing the hazards of drinking and driving. We must all take caution on the roads and practice safe driving habits — make sure you’re well rested and sober, drive defensively, wear a safety belt and avoid distractions behind the wheel such as texting.
Catastrophic accidents and fatalities can almost always be prevented with the right planning and preparation. Help me keep our community safe and our Army strong by doing all you can to prevent reckless behavior and unsafe practices. Encourage the members of your organization to always place safety first and to implement good habits within their holiday repertoire; such as planning, risk assessments and use of the buddy system.
I thank you for your continued efforts and your assistance in maintaining our tradition of excellence and safety — plan and prepare for your holiday activities and enjoy your long, holiday weekend!
Always out front! Army Strong!
